Very Very Liberal, One Slight Conservative Tendency

I think it's pretty obvious after my Gay Marriage Killed the Dinosaurs post that I am a very very liberal. If you look at my 'campaign issues' on Facebook, you'll see things listed like, 'Equal Rights for Gays' and 'Abortion is a Woman's Choice'. Those are two issues I will never sway on. Ever. Recently a group was created called 'If the fetus you save is gay, will you still fight for it's rights?' Damn right I joined that one too.

But I secretly harbor some slight Conservative tendencies. Mainly on the issue of gun control. There is a campaign issues entitled 'The Guns Gotta Go' and I completely disagree with it. Take a look at the Bill of Rights, guns are not going anywhere any time soon. Someone in this group had the brilliant, and I use that term loosely, idea of, this '5 Point Plan' as they call it:

1. Join the NRA. (seriously)
2. Wait until we reach a majority of national membership
3. Hold a vote: all in favor of getting rid of guns?
4. Choke off campaign support from the NRA for pro-gun legislation
5. Do a little dance

Yes, good luck with that. I'm sure that plan will go swimmingly. He quotes several statistics on murders, suicides, etc. I think one thing he is not taking into account is the fact that, while guns do account for a large number of murders, even if you take away guns, you are still going to have murder. We're a violent society, like it or not. Take away guns, and you're going still going to have violent crimes committed with other weapons. Guns are not the problem, it is the people using them. There is no good way to really stop this cycle, because if someone truly wants to find a gun somewhere, they don't necessarily have to go the store and get one, there are ways of doing so - ever heard of this little thing called the 'black market' - one way or another, people will find guns. He then quoted statistics on suicide too - if someone really wants to kill themself, they will find another way. Guns are not the only option here, by far. Someone who wants to die badly enough will figure it out, do not pretend you're saving someone by taking a gun away; it will only be replaced with a razor blade or a noose.

The campaign creator also makes the comment, "For those anarchists who fear anti-gun legislation would lead to an inability to rise up against tyranny, face it: the US military has you far outmatched anyway. For everyone else, let's leave our security and protection to the professionals." The professionals? Yes because we all know they do such a wonderful job all the time in protecting us. Prime example: September 11th. Yes it was a surprise attack but are you really going to believe that Bush did not have information that something like this was coming? We're so busy playing catch-up now on airport security, it is ridiculous. Bush had prior knowledge that an attack like this could take place and what was done? Nothing. But that is an entirely different discussion.

My point is getting lost I fear so I will keep this short and sweet. Guns are not the problem, is it the ease with which people can get them. Something has to be done about that problem first and then the violence in our country will decline. It's not going to get better by taking away one weapon, because people will always find another way.

In other news, though gun-related, I actually get to shoot a gun on Tuesday and I am very excited because it'll be neat-o. Evan is taking me to a shooting range in Omaha. Pretty sweet, huh? I've never shot a handgun before, just a shot gun when Silas and Adam took me with them to one of the outdoor ranges here in Lincoln. But this range is inside and it has the targets and everything and I am super excited. I'm definitely going to bring one home and take a picture of it because I have a feeling I'm going to be a pretty horrible shot. I got a couple basic lessons already on it, but I'm also kind of nervous. I might have to go back more than once, because I have a feeling I'm going to like it.